U.S. patent number 10,585,410 [Application Number 15/760,395] was granted by the patent office on 2020-03-10 for functional unit and control apparatus wherein a functional unit synchronized with another functional unit on basis of an outside trigger signal having a synchronized period.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Invention is credited to Tomihito Goto, Tatsuro Onishi, Yuta Takenaka, Satoru Ukena.
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United States Patent |
10,585,410 |
Ukena , et al. |
March 10, 2020 |
Functional unit and control apparatus wherein a functional unit
synchronized with another functional unit on basis of an outside
trigger signal having a synchronized period
Abstract
A functional unit is synchronized with an output system unit on
the basis of a trigger signal input from outside with a
synchronization period. The input system unit includes: a
functional processing unit to perform, on the basis of the trigger
signal, a functional process with a control period that is shorter
than the synchronization period, and to generate processing results
by repeatedly performing the functional process in one
synchronization period; and a shared memory to collectively output
the processing results of the functional processing unit to outside
on the basis of the trigger signal.
Inventors: |
Ukena; Satoru (Chiyoda-ku,
JP), Takenaka; Yuta (Chiyoda-ku, JP), Goto;
Tomihito (Chiyoda-ku, JP), Onishi; Tatsuro
(Chiyoda-ku, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation |
Chiyoda-ku |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
(Chiyoda-ku, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
58662999 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/760,395 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2015 |
PCT
Filed: |
November 05, 2015 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2015/081232 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
March 15, 2018 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2017/077628 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
May 11, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190056705 A1 |
Feb 21, 2019 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/12 (20130101); G05B 19/042 (20130101); G05B
19/056 (20130101); Y02P 90/02 (20151101); G05B
2219/25252 (20130101); G05B 2219/25474 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G05B
11/01 (20060101); G05B 19/05 (20060101); G05B
19/042 (20060101); G06F 1/12 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;700/19 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10-240306 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
JP |
|
11-31006 |
|
Feb 1999 |
|
JP |
|
2000-242317 |
|
Sep 2000 |
|
JP |
|
2006-285885 |
|
Oct 2006 |
|
JP |
|
2011-170476 |
|
Sep 2011 |
|
JP |
|
5301041 |
|
Sep 2013 |
|
JP |
|
2013-254487 |
|
Dec 2013 |
|
JP |
|
Other References
Combined Office Action and Search Report dated Mar. 14, 2018 in
Taiwanese Patent Application No. 105135321 (with English
translation). cited by applicant .
International Search Report dated Dec. 8, 2015 in PCT/JP2015/081232
filed Nov. 5, 2015. cited by applicant .
Notification of Reasons for Refusal dated Aug. 14, 2017 in
Taiwanese Patent Application No. 105135321 (with English
Translation), 13 pages. cited by applicant .
Notification of Reasons for Refusal dated Jan. 25, 2018 in Japanese
Patent Application No. 2017-548584 (with English Translation), 5
pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Suryawanshi; Suresh
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, McClelland, Maier &
Neustadt, L.L.P.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A functional unit synchronized with another functional unit on a
basis of a trigger signal input from outside, the trigger signal
having a synchronization period, the functional unit comprising: a
functional processor configured to perform, on a basis of the
trigger signal, a functional process with a control period that is
shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate processing
results obtained by repeatedly performing the functional process a
plurality of times continuously in one synchronization period; and
an output controller configured to collectively output the
processing results of the functional processor to outside on a
basis of the trigger signal.
2. A functional unit synchronized with another functional unit on a
basis of a trigger signal input from outside, the trigger signal
having a synchronization period, the functional unit comprising: a
functional processor configured to perform, on a basis of the
trigger signal, a functional process with a control period that is
shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate processing
results obtained by repeatedly performing the functional process a
plurality of times continuously in one synchronization period; and
an input controller configured to collectively receive processing
targets of the functional processor from outside on a basis of the
trigger signal.
3. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein the functional
processor repeatedly performs the functional process starting from
the trigger signal.
4. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein the functional
processor sets the number of the functional processes performed in
one synchronization period.
5. The functional unit according to claim 4, wherein
T>T1.times.N is satisfied, where the synchronization period is
denoted by T, the control period is denoted by T1, and the number
of functional processes performed is denoted by N.
6. A control apparatus comprising: the functional unit according to
claim 1; and a processor configured to process the processing
results collectively and output to the outside by the output
controller of the functional unit on a basis of the trigger
signal.
7. A control apparatus comprising: the functional unit according to
claim 2; and a processor configured to collectively input the
processing targets to the input controller on a basis of the
trigger signal.
8. The functional unit according to claim 2, wherein the functional
processor repeatedly performs the functional process starting from
the trigger signal.
9. The functional unit according to claim 2, wherein the functional
processor sets the number of the functional processes performed in
one synchronization period.
10. The functional unit according to claim 1, wherein in the
synchronization period from when a trigger signal is inputted to
when the next trigger signal is inputted, the output controller is
configured to make the processing results acquirable by the another
unit or transmit the processing results to the another unit.
Description
FIELD
The present invention relates to a functional unit synchronized
with another unit and a control apparatus.
BACKGROUND
A facility in the field of Factory Automation (FA) is generally
achieved by combining multiple types of devices. The devices
constituting the facility in the FA field are connected to
programmable controllers, each of which is a control apparatus
integrating a control process and an information process. The
programmable controllers are distributed in the facility in the FA
field. The distributed programmable controllers are synchronized on
the basis of a trigger signal input with a fixed synchronization
period from a communication bus (see Patent Literature 1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.
2006-285885
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
As a functional unit constituting a programmable controller, a
functional unit is proposed which can perform a functional process
with a control period is shorter than a synchronization period of a
trigger signal. However, in a programmable controller disclosed in
Patent Literature 1, since a functional unit performs only one
functional process in one synchronization period, high-speed
functional processing performance of the functional unit cannot be
utilized, which is a problem. Furthermore, in a case where multiple
input units and output units, which are functional units, are
connected to a CPU unit, there is a method for solving the problem
in which synchronization control is started using a trigger signal
input in a first synchronization period, and thereafter, high-speed
control is performed depending on the control period of an internal
control processor installed in each unit. However, since variations
in the control period are generated in each internal control
processor, in a case of performing long-term control, the
variations will eventually increase to a non-negligible level,
which causes other problems.
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is
an object of the present invention to obtain a functional unit that
makes it possible to utilize high-speed functional processing
performance and to suppress variations in the control period.
Solution to Problem
In order to solve the above-described problem and achieve the
object, an aspect of the present invention is a functional unit
synchronized with another unit on the basis of a trigger signal
input from outside with a synchronization period. The functional
unit includes a functional processing unit to perform, on the basis
of the trigger signal, a functional process with a control period
that is shorter than the synchronization period, and to generate
processing results by repeatedly performing the functional process
in one synchronization period. The functional unit includes an
output control unit to collectively output the processing results
of the functional processing unit on the basis of the trigger
signal.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
The functional unit according to the present invention has an
effect where it is possible to utilize high-speed functional
processing performance and to suppress variations in the control
period.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control
system that includes a control apparatus according to a first
embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the
control apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an
input system unit of the control apparatus according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a storage area of a shared memory
of the input system unit of the control apparatus according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of
the control apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a
functional processing unit of the input system unit of the control
apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen for setting the number of
trigger controls of the input system unit of the control apparatus
according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an
output system unit of a control apparatus according to a second
embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a storage area of a shared memory
of the output system unit of the control apparatus according to the
second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of
the control apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a
functional processing unit of the output system unit of the control
apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a
functional unit according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a time chart illustrating an example of an operation of
the functional unit according to the third embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, a functional unit and a control apparatus according to
embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail
with reference to the drawings. The invention is not limited to the
embodiments.
First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control
system that includes a control apparatus according to a first
embodiment. The control system 1 constitutes a facility in the
field of Factory Automation (FA), and includes, as illustrated in
FIG. 1, a plurality of devices 2 and 3 installed in the facility; a
control apparatus 5 connected to the devices 2 and 3; and a
computer 6 connected to the control apparatus 5. In the first
embodiment, the control system 1 includes two devices 2 and 3, but
the number of devices installed in the facility is not limited to
two. In the first embodiment, the device 2 is a sensor that is
installed in the facility and detects the flow rate, pressure,
concentration, or temperature, and the device 3 is a drive device
that performs operations, such as a switch, a regulating valve, a
solenoid valve, a motor, or a pump installed in the facility.
The computer 6 generates a control program to be executed by the
control apparatus 5 and transmits the control program to the
control apparatus 5. The control apparatus 5 controls devices 2 and
3 by executing the control program. In the first embodiment, the
control apparatus 5 is a programmable controller (PLC). The
programmable controller is defined by Japan Industrial Standard
(JIS) B 3502:2011.
The computer 6 according to the first embodiment executes a
computer program, and includes, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a Central
Processing Unit (CPU) 61, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 62, a Read
Only Memory (ROM) 63, a storage device 64, an input device 65, a
display device 66, and a communication interface 67. The CPU 61,
the RAM 62, the ROM 63, the storage device 64, the input device 65,
the display device 66, and the communication interface 67 are
connected to one another via a bus B.
The CPU 61 executes a program stored in the ROM 63 and the storage
device 64 using the RAM 62 as a work area. The program stored in
the ROM 63 is a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or a Unified
Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), but the program stored in the
ROM 63 is not limited to the BIOS or the UEFI. In the first
embodiment, the program stored in the storage device 64 is an
operating system program and an engineering tool program, but the
program stored in the storage device 64 is not limited to the
operating system program and the engineering tool program. In the
first embodiment, the storage device 64 is an SSD or an HDD, but
the storage device 64 is not limited to the SSD or the HDD.
The input device 65 receives an operation input from a user. In the
first embodiment, the input device 65 is a keyboard or a mouse, but
is not limited to the keyboard or the mouse. The display device 66
displays characters and images. In the first embodiment, the
display device 66 is a liquid crystal display device, but is not
limited to the liquid crystal display device. The communication
interface 67 communicates with the control apparatus 5.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the
control apparatus according to the first embodiment. As illustrated
in FIG. 2, the control apparatus 5 includes a CPU unit 10 and an
input system unit 20. The CPU unit 10 is a processing unit that
processes and executes a control program. The input system unit 20
is connected to the device 2, which is a sensor, and performs a
functional process for processing a detection result of the device
2. The control apparatus 5 further includes an output system unit
30 and a backplane 40. The output system unit 30 is connected to
the device 3, which is a drive device, and transmits a control
signal to the device 3. The backplane 40 connects the CPU unit 10,
the input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30 to one
another.
The backplane 40 has a flat-plate shape. A plurality of slots (not
illustrated) in which the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20,
and the output system unit 30 are installed are provided on the
surface portion of the backplane 40. Any one of the CPU unit 10,
the input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30 is
installed in each slot of the backplane 40. The positions in the
backplane 40 in which the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20,
and the output system unit 30 are installed can be appropriately
selected. The control apparatus 5 is operable even if there is a
slot in which none of the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20,
and the output system unit 30 is installed in the backplane 40.
The backplane 40 includes a circuit board 41 and a control circuit
42 mounted on the circuit board 41. The control circuit 42 includes
a synchronous clock generation unit 42a and a communication relay
control unit 42b. The synchronous clock generation unit 42a is
constituted by a circuit that allows synchronization control of the
CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system unit
30 and transmits a trigger signal TS with a fixed synchronization
period T illustrated in FIG. 5. The communication relay control
unit 42b is constituted by a circuit for performing data
transmission and reception among the CPU unit 10, the input system
unit 20, and the output system unit 30.
The synchronous clock generation unit 42a is connected to the CPU
unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30 by
electric signal lines S. The synchronous clock generation unit 42a
generates a trigger signal TS for allowing synchronization control
with the fixed synchronization period T and simultaneously
transmits the generated trigger signals TS to the CPU unit 10, the
input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30 with the
synchronization period T.
The communication relay control unit 42b is connected to the CPU
unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30 by
bus communication lines L1, L2, and L3 that are provided separately
from the electric signal lines S. The communication relay control
unit 42b relays data transmission and reception among the CPU unit
10, the input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30.
In the first embodiment, the input system unit 20 is a functional
unit, and the output system unit 30 is another unit. Next, since
the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system
unit 30 are similarly configured, a configuration common to the CPU
unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30
will be described with reference to FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG.
2, the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system
unit 30 each include a circuit hoard 50, a communication processor
51 mounted on the circuit board 50, and a functional processing
unit 52 as a functional processing unit mounted on the circuit
board 50.
The communication processors 51 of the CPU unit 10, the input
system unit 20, and the output system unit 30 are connected to one
another via the bus communication lines L1, L2, and L3 and the
communication relay control unit 42b. The communication processors
51 perform data transmission and reception among the CPU unit 10,
the input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30.
Furthermore, the communication processors 51 are connected to the
synchronous clock generation unit 42a via the electric signal lines
S.
In the first embodiment, each communication processor 51 includes a
counter control unit 51a constituted by a counter in a similar
manner to the technology described in Japanese Patent No. 5301041.
The counter control unit 51a has a built-in circuit that resets a
value of the counter to zero upon receiving the trigger signal TS
via the electric signal line S. In the first embodiment, the
counter control unit 51a resets the value of the counter to zero at
a rising timing of the trigger signal TS, but the counter control
unit 51a may reset the value the counter to zero at a falling
timing of the trigger signal TS.
When the value of the counter counted by the counter control unit
51a reaches a given value, the communication processor 51 generates
an interrupt signal and transmits the generated interrupt signal to
the functional processing unit 52. The given value is set by the
functional processing unit 52 of the CPU unit 10. The interrupt
signal is a signal for causing the functional processing unit 52 to
execute a computer program. Given values that cause the
communication processors 51 of the CPU unit 10, the input system
unit 20, and the output system unit 30 to generate the interrupt
signals are the same. In the first embodiment, the given value is
"zero", but is not limited to "zero". In the first embodiment, in a
similar manner to the technology described in Japanese Patent No.
5301041, the communication processor 51 generates an interrupt
signal when the value of the counter counted by the counter control
unit 51a reaches a given value, but this technology is not a
limitation.
The given values of the counters that cause the communication
processors 51 of the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the
output system unit 30 to generate the interrupt signals are made
equal to one another, the synchronous clock generation unit 42a
simultaneously transmits the trigger signals TS to the
communication processors 51 of the CPU unit 10, the input system
unit 20, and the output system unit 30, and thereby the functional
processing units 52 of the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20,
and the output system unit 30 execute the computer program in
synchronization with each other. Through the synchronization of the
functional processing units 52 by the communication processors 51,
the input system unit 20 is synchronized with the output system
unit 30 on the basis of the trigger signal TS input from the
outside of the input system unit 20 with the fixed synchronization
period T. Through the synchronization of the functional processing
units 52 by the communication processors 51, the output system unit
30 is synchronized with the input system unit 20 on the basis of
the trigger signal TS input from the outside of the output system
unit 30 with the fixed synchronization period T. In the first
embodiment, the communication processor 51 is constituted by an
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a
Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), but is not limited to the
ASIC or the FPGA. FPGA.
The functional processing unit 52 includes a Micro-processing unit
(MPU) 52a that stores a computer program and an internal control
processor 52b that performs a hardware process. In cooperation with
the internal control processor 52b, the MPU 52a executes the stored
computer program upon receiving the interrupt signal. The internal
control processor 52b of the input system unit 20 performs a
functional process for processing the detection result input from
the device 2 and uses the processing result generated by the
functional process as data to be transmitted and received among the
CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system unit
30. The internal control processor 52b of the output system unit 30
performs a functional process for processing a processing target
that is information input from the computer 6 via the CPU unit 10,
and transmits the processing result generated by the functional
process to the device 3 as a control signal. In the first
embodiment, the internal control processor 52b is constituted by an
ASIC or an FPGA, but is not limited to the ASIC or the FPGA.
The functional processing units 52 of the input system unit 20 and
the output system unit 30 each include the MPU 52a that stores the
computer program and the internal control processor 52b that
performs a hardware process, and thereby the functional process of
each internal control processor 52b can be performed with a control
period T1 illustrated in FIG. 5, which is shorter than the
synchronization period T of the trigger signal TS, and the
processing result of each internal control processor 52b can be
generated. In the first embodiment, through the synchronization of
the functional processing units 52 by the communication processors
51, the functional processing units 52 of the input system unit 20
and the output system unit 30 repeatedly perform a functional
process of the internal control processors 52b a plurality of times
in the synchronization period T of the trigger signal TS on the
basis of the trigger signal TS input from the outside with the
fixed synchronization period T; therefore, a plurality of
processing results are generated.
In the first embodiment, when the value of the counters counted by
the counter control units 51a becomes "zero", the functional
processing units 52 of the input system unit 20 and the output
system unit 30 each receive the interrupt signal transmitted by the
communication processor 51, and the internal control processors 52b
perform the functional process. Therefore, in the first embodiment,
the functional processing units 52 of the input system unit 20 and
the output system unit 30 each repeatedly perform the functional
process starting from the trigger signal TS. In the first
embodiment, when the control period is denoted by T1, and the
number of functional processes performed by each of the functional
processing units 52 of the input system unit 20 and the output
system unit 30 in one synchronization period T is denoted by N, the
functional processing units 52 of the input system unit 20 and the
output system unit 30 satisfy the following formula 1.
T>T1.times.N Formula 1
Hereinafter, with respect to the components of the CPU unit 10, the
input system unit 20, and the output system unit 30, "(C)" is
appended to the end of the reference signs of the components that
can be identified as components of the CPU unit 10, "(I)" is
appended to the end of the reference signs of the components that
can be identified as components of the input system unit 20, and
"(O)" is appended to the end of the reference signs of the
components that can be identified as components of the output
system unit 30. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware
configuration of the input system unit of the control apparatus
according to the first embodiment.
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the input
system unit 20 omitted in FIG. 2 will be described. A communication
processor 51(I) of the input system unit 20 includes an interrupt
signal control unit 51b(I) and a bus communication processing unit
51c(I) in addition to a counter control unit 51a(I). The interrupt
signal control unit 51b(I) is connected to the counter control unit
51a(I) and a functional processing unit 52(I). The interrupt signal
control unit 51b(I) receives a value of the counter counted by the
counter control unit 51a(I). When the value of the counter counted
by the counter control unit 51a(I) reaches a given value set by the
functional processing unit 52 of the CPU unit 10, the interrupt
signal control unit 51b(I) generates an interrupt signal and
transmits the interrupt signal to the functional processing unit
52(I). The bus communication processing unit 51c(I) is connected to
the functional processing unit 52(I). The bus communication
processing unit 51c(I) transmits and receives necessary data among
the CPU unit 10, the input system unit 20, and the output system
unit 30.
The input system unit 20 includes, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a
synchronous clock interface 53(I) connected to the synchronous
clock generation unit 42a and a bus interface 54(I) connected to
the communication relay control unit 42b, in addition to a circuit
board 50(I), the communication processor 51(I), and the functional
processing unit 52(I). In addition, the input system unit 20
includes an input circuit unit 55(I) connected to the functional
processing unit 52(I), an external input/output interface 56(I)
connected to the device 2, and a shared memory 57(I).
The synchronous clock interface 53(I) is connected to the electric
signal line S and the counter control unit 51a(I). The synchronous
clock interface 53(I) causes the counter control unit 51a(I) of the
communication processor 51(I) to receive the trigger signal TS
generated by the synchronous clock generation unit 42a. The bus
interface 54(I) is connected to the bus communication line L2 and
the bus communication processing unit 51c(I).
The input circuit unit 55(I) is connected to an internal control
processor 52b(I) of the functional processing unit 52(I). The input
circuit unit 55(I) is constituted by an Analog/Digital (A/D)
converter or a digital Input/Output (I/O). The external
input/output interface 56(I) is connected to the device 2 and the
input circuit unit 55(I). The detection result of the device 2,
which is a sensor, is received by the input circuit unit 55(I)
through the external input/output interface 56(I). The detection
result of the device 2 is received by the internal control
processor 52b(I), and a functional process thereof is performed by
the internal control processor 52b(I).
The shared memory 57(I) is a storage device that stores data, and
an MPU 52a(I) of the functional processing unit 52(I) of the input
system unit 20, an MPU 52a(C) of the CPU unit 10, and an MPU 52a(O)
of the output system unit 30 can access the shared memory 57(I).
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a storage area of the shared
memory of the input system unit of the control apparatus according
to the first embodiment. The shared memory 57(I) is connected to
the functional processing unit 52(I) and the bus communication
processing unit 51c(I) of the communication processor 51(I). In the
first embodiment, the shared memory 57(I) is constituted by, but
not limited to, a RAM.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the shared memory 57(I) includes a
trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I) and a processing result
storage area 57b(I). The trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I)
is a setting functional unit that stores the number of trigger
controls N. The processing result storage area 57b(I) stores
processing results of the internal control processor 52b(I) of the
functional processing unit 52(I). The number of trigger controls N
is the number of times the functional process is repeatedly
performed by the functional processing unit 52(I) in the
synchronization period T. In the first embodiment, the number of
trigger controls N is written from the computer program stored in
the MPU 52a(I) to the trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I). In
the trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I), the number of
trigger controls N written from the computer program stored in the
MPU 52a(I) is referred to by the MPU 52a(I) of the functional
processing unit 52(I). By storing the number of trigger controls N,
the trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I) sets the number of
trigger controls N, which is the number of times the functional
process is performed by the functional processing unit 52(I) in one
synchronization period T. In the first embodiment, the number of
trigger controls N is written from the computer program stored in
the MPU 52a(I), but the trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I)
may be exposed and the number of trigger controls N may be written
from the computer 6 via the CPU unit 10.
In the first embodiment, the processing results of the internal
control processor 52b(I) are written by the MPU 52a(I) of the
functional processing unit 52(I) to the processing result storage
area 57b(I), but the processing results may be directly written by
the internal control processor 52b(I). As many processing results
as the number of trigger controls N are written to the processing
result storage area 57b(I) in the order starting from the result of
the process performed by the internal control processor 52b(I)
first. In the first embodiment, as many processing results as the
number of trigger controls N stored in the processing result
storage area 57b(I) are acquired by the MPU 52a(C) of the CPU unit
10 at the timing of receiving a next trigger signal TS. However,
the input system unit 20 may transmit, to the MPU 52a(C) of the CPU
unit 10, as many processing results as the number of trigger
controls stored in the shared memory 57(I) at the timing of
receiving the next trigger signal TS. The address of the processing
result storage area 57b(I) is set in the CPU unit 10 in advance.
The CPU unit 10 reads as many processing results as the number of
trigger controls N by reading values from an area of the preset
address.
As many processing results as the number of trigger controls N are
written to the shared memory 57(I) by the MPU 52a(I), as many
processing results as the number of trigger controls N stored in
the shared memory 57(I) are acquired by the MPU 52a(C) of the CPU
unit 10 at the timing of receiving the next trigger signal TS, and
thereby the shared memory 57(I) functions as an output control unit
that collects and outputs, to the outside of the input system unit
20, multiple processing results of the functional processing unit
52(I) on the basis of the trigger signal TS. In the first
embodiment, the expression "to collect multiple processing results"
means that in the synchronization period T from when a trigger
signal TS is input to when the next trigger signal TS is input, the
multiple processing results are made acquirable by the CPU unit 10
that is an external unit or that the multiple processing results
are transmitted to the CPU unit 10 that is an external unit. In the
first embodiment, when the stored processing results are acquired
by the MPU 52a(C) of the CPU unit 10, the processing result storage
area 57b(I) of the shared memory 57(I) is cleared by the MPU 52a(C)
of the CPU unit 10 so as to be in an empty state where no
information is stored.
In the control apparatus 5 according to the first embodiment, the
CPU unit 10 has the same configuration as the input system unit 20
illustrated in FIG. 3 except that the CPU unit 10 does not include
the input circuit unit 55(I) and the external input/output
interface 56(I). In the control apparatus 5 according to the first
embodiment, the output system unit 30 has the same configuration as
the input system unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 3 except that the
output system unit 30 includes an output circuit unit constituted
by a Digital/Analog (D/A) converter or a digital I/O instead of the
input circuit unit 55(I).
Next, examples of operations of the input system unit 20 and the
control apparatus 5 according to the first embodiment will be
described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a time chart
illustrating an example of the operation of the control apparatus
according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart
illustrating an example of a process of the functional processing
unit of the input system unit of the control apparatus according to
the first embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the trigger signal TS is input from the
synchronous clock generation unit 42a of the backplane 40 to the
control apparatus 5 according to the first embodiment with the
fixed synchronization period T. When the trigger signal TS is
input, the functional processing unit 52(I) of the input system
unit 20 receives the interrupt signal at the rising timing of the
trigger signal TS. The internal control processor 52b(I) performs
the functional process on the detection result of the device 2 in
each control period T1, and the MPU 52a(I) writes the processing
results to the processing result storage area 57b(I) of the shared
memory 57(I) (Step ST1). The MPU 52a(I) of the functional
processing unit 52(I) refers to the number of trigger controls N
stored in the trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I) of the
shared memory 57(I), and determines whether as many functional
processes as the number of trigger controls N have been ended (Step
ST2).
When the MPU 52a(I) determines that as many functional processes as
the number of trigger controls N have not been ended (Step ST2:
No), the process returns to Step ST1. When the MPU 52a(I)
determines that as many functional processes as the number of
trigger controls N have been ended (Step ST2: Yes), the functional
processes for one synchronization period T are ended. When it is
determined that as many functional processes as the number of
trigger controls N have not been ended (Step ST2: No), the
functional processing unit 52(I) repeats Step ST1, thereby
performing as many functional processes as the number of trigger
controls N as illustrated in FIG. 5, and the functional processing
unit 52(I) writes as many processing results as the number of
trigger controls N to the processing result storage area 57b(I) of
the shared memory 57(I).
When a next trigger signal TS is input to the control apparatus 5,
as illustrated in FIG. 5, the CPU unit 10 acquires the processing
results stored in the processing result storage area 57b(I) of the
shared memory 57(I). In the first embodiment, the CPU unit 10
stores the acquired multiple processing results in the storage
device 64 of the computer 6 in association with information
indicating dates and times, but e process of the processing results
acquired by the CPU unit 10 is not limited thereto. In the first
embodiment, the CPU unit 10 is a processing unit that acquires and
processes the multiple processing results collectively output by
the shared memory 57(I) of the input system unit 20. When a next
trigger signal TS is input to the control apparatus 5, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, the input system unit 20 performs the
functional process in a similar manner to when the previous trigger
signal TS was input.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen for setting the number of
trigger controls of the input system unit 20 of the control
apparatus 5 according to the first embodiment. When setting the
number of trigger controls of the input system unit of the control
apparatus according to the first embodiment, the user operates the
input device 65 of the computer 6 to display a
trigger-control-count setting screen 100 illustrated in FIG. 7 on
the display device 66. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the
trigger-control-count setting screen 100 at least includes a target
unit display area 101 and a trigger-control-count setting area 102.
The target unit display area 101 indicates "input system unit" as a
unit name of a target for which the number of trigger controls N is
set. The trigger-control-count setting area 102 sets "the number of
trigger controls". When the user operates the input device 65 to
perform an input operation of inputting the number of trigger
controls N to the trigger-control-count setting area 102 and
performs a determination operation to determine the input number of
trigger controls N, the determined number of trigger controls N is
transmitted to the CPU unit 10 through the communication interface
67 of the computer 6, transmitted to the communication processor 51
of the CPU unit 10, the bus communication line L1, the
communication relay control unit 42b of the backplane 40, the bus
communication line L2, and the communication processor 51(I) of the
input system unit 20, in this order, and written to the
trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I) of the shared memory
57(I) of the input system unit 20.
According to the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5
of the first embodiment, the functional processing unit 52(I)
performs the functional process with the control period T1, which
is shorter than the synchronization period T of the trigger signal
TS, on the basis of the trigger signal TS. According to the input
system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5, the processing results
of the functional processing unit 52(I) are written to the shared
memory 57(I), which enables the processing results to be
collectively output. Therefore, in the input system unit 20 and the
control apparatus 5, the functional processing unit 52(I) can
perform the functional process a plurality of times in one
synchronization period T and the processing results are written to
the shared memory 57(I). Consequently, the processing results
generated in one synchronization period T can be made available by
external devices. As a result, the input system unit 20 and the
control apparatus 5 can utilize the high-speed functional
processing performance of the input system unit 20. According to
the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5 of the first
embodiment, it is possible to acquire the detection result of the
device 2, which is a sensor, with a period shorter than the
synchronization period T.
According to the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus of
the first embodiment, since the functional processing unit 52(I)
repeatedly performs the functional process starting from the
trigger signal TS, it is possible to perform as many functional
processes as possible in one synchronization period T. Furthermore,
according to the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5
of the first embodiment, since the functional processing unit 52(I)
repeatedly performs the functional process starting from the
trigger signal TS, it is possible to suppress variations in the
control period T1 generated by the internal control processors
52b(I) when a plurality of input system units 20 are arranged in
the system. Therefore, when the input system units 20 are arranged
in the system, the input system units 20 can be synchronized with
each other with a period obtained by further minimizing the
synchronization period T determined by the PLC system, and can be
controlled permanently.
According to the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5
of the first embodiment, since the number of trigger controls N can
be set in the trigger-control-count storage area 57a(I) of the
shared memory 57(I), it is possible to change the number of
functional processes performed in the synchronization period T.
Regarding the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5
according to the first embodiment, the number of trigger controls N
is written from the computer program stored in the MPU 52a(I).
Therefore, even if the synchronization period T will be shortened
in the future, the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5
according to the first embodiment can flexibly cope with the
shortened synchronization period T without modifying the internal
control processor 52b(I). When the number of trigger controls N is
written from the computer 6 via the CPU unit 10, the input system
unit 20 and the control apparatus 5 allow the user to freely set
the control period of the functional processes minimized beyond the
synchronization period T. However, the shortest control period of
the functional processes is the control period T1.
According to the input system unit 20 and the control apparatus 5
of the first embodiment, since Formula 1 is satisfied, it is
possible to prevent the functional process from being performed by
the functional processing unit 52(I) over a plurality of
synchronization periods T.
Second Embodiment
Next, the control apparatus 5 according to a second embodiment of
the present invention will be described with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration
of an output system unit of the control apparatus according to the
second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a storage area
of a shared memory of the output system unit of the control
apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIGS. 8 and 9,
components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are
given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be
omitted.
In the control apparatus 5 according to the second embodiment, the
output system unit 30 is a functional unit and the input system
unit 20 is another unit. The output system unit 30 includes an
output circuit unit 55-2(O) instead of the input circuit unit 55(I)
the input system unit 20 of the first embodiment, and an external
input/output interface 56(O) is connected to the device 3. The
output circuit unit 55-2(O) is constituted by a D/A converter or a
digital I/O.
As illustrated in FIG. 9, a shared memory 57(O) of the output
system unit 30 includes a trigger-control-count storage area 57a(O)
and a processing target storage area 57c(O). The
trigger-control-count storage area 57a(O) is a setting functional
unit that stores the number of trigger controls N. The processing
target storage area 57c(O) stores processing targets of the
functional processes of an internal control processor 52b(O) of a
functional processing unit 52(O). The trigger-control-count storage
area 57a(O) has the same configuration as the trigger-control-count
storage area 57a(I) of the shared memory 57(I) of the input system
unit 20 according to the first embodiment.
The processing targets to be processed by the functional processes
of the functional processing unit 52(O) are written to the
processing target storage area 57c(O), by the computer 6 via the
CPU unit 10. The processing targets are written to the processing
target storage area 57c(O) in the order starting from the
processing target subjected to the functional process first. As
many processing targets as the number of trigger controls N are
written to the processing target storage area 57c(O) in the order
of the processes performed by the internal control processor
52b(O). As many processing targets as the number of trigger
controls N stored in the processing target storage area 57c(O) are
acquired by the MPU 52a(O) of the functional processing unit 52(O).
The address of the processing target storage area 57c(O) is set in
the CPU unit 10 in advance. The CPU unit 10 writes values to an
area of the preset address, thereby writing as many processing
targets as the number of trigger controls N. As many processing
targets as the number of trigger controls N are written to the
shared memory 57(O) from the computer 6 via the CPU unit 10, and
thereby the shared memory 57(O) functions as an input control unit
to which multiple processing targets of the functional processing
unit 52(O) are collectively input from the outside of the output
system unit 30 on the basis of the trigger signal TS. Therefore, in
the second embodiment, the CPU unit 10 is a processing unit that
collects and inputs processing targets to the shared memory 57 on
the basis of the trigger signal TS. In the second embodiment, the
expression "the multiple processing results targets are collected
and input" means that in the synchronization period T from when a
trigger signal TS is input to when a next trigger signal TS is
input, the CPU unit 10 that is an external unit collects and writes
the multiple processing targets.
The internal control processor 52b(O) of the functional processing
unit 52(O) of the output system unit 30 performs a functional
process for processing the processing targets stored in the
processing target storage area 57c(O) of the shared memory 57(O).
After the output circuit unit 55-2(O) receives the processing
results generated by the functional processes, the functional
processing unit 52(O) of the output system unit 30 transmits the
processing results to the device 3 through the external
input/output interface 56(O) as control signals.
The functional processing unit 52(O) includes the MPU 52a(O) that
stores a computer program and the internal control processor 52b(O)
that performs a hardware process, and thereby the functional
process of each processing target can be performed with the control
period T1, which is shorter than the synchronization period T of
the trigger signal TS, and a control signal of the device 3 can be
generated. In the functional processing unit 52(O), during one
synchronization period T of the trigger signal TS, the internal
control processor 52b(O) repeatedly performs the functional process
on each processing target a plurality of times, generates a control
signal a plurality of times, and transmits the control signals to
the device 3.
Next, examples of operations of the output system unit 30 and the
control apparatus 5 according to the second embodiment will be
described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a time chart
illustrating an example of the operation of the control apparatus
according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart
illustrating an example of a process of the functional processing
unit of the output system unit of the control apparatus according
to the second embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the trigger signal TS is input to the
control apparatus 5 according to the second embodiment from the
synchronous clock generation unit 42a of the backplane 40 with the
fixed synchronization period T. When the trigger signal TS is
input, the CPU unit 10 writes the processing targets input from the
computer 6 to the processing target storage area 57c(O) of the
shared memory 57(O) of the output system unit 30.
When a next trigger signal TS is input to the control apparatus 5,
the functional processing unit 52(O) of the output system unit 30
receives the interrupt signal from the communication processor
51(O) at a rising timing of the trigger signal TS. The MPU 52a(O)
of the functional processing unit 52(O) acquires the multiple
processing targets from the processing target storage area 57c(O)
of the shared memory 57(O) (Step ST1-2). In the second embodiment,
when the stored processing targets are acquired by the MPU 52a(O)
of the functional processing unit 52(O), the processing target
storage area 57c(O) of the shared memory 57(O) is cleared by the
MPU 52a(O) of the functional processing unit 52(O) so as to be in
an empty state where no information is stored.
The internal control processor 52b(O) of the functional processing
unit 52(O) of the output system unit 30 performs the functional
processes on the processing targets and outputs the control signals
to the device 3 as illustrated in FIG. 10 (Step ST2-2). The MPU
52a(O) of the functional processing unit 52(O) refers to the number
of trigger controls N stored in the trigger-control-count storage
area 57a(O) of the shared memory 57(O), and determines whether as
many functional processes as the number of trigger controls N have
been ended (Step ST3-2).
When the MPU 52a(O) determines that as many functional processes as
the number of trigger controls N have not been ended (Step ST3-2:
No), the process returns to Step ST2-2. When the MPU 52a(O)
determines that as many functional processes as the number of
trigger controls N have been ended (Step ST3-2: Yes), the
functional processes for one synchronization period T are ended.
When it is determined that as many functional processes as the
number of trigger controls N have not been ended (Step ST3-2: No),
the functional processing unit 52(O) repeats Step ST2-2, thereby
performing as many functional processes as the number of trigger
controls N as illustrated in FIG. 10, and the functional processing
unit 52(O) outputs the control signals to the device 3.
In Step ST1-2, the MPU 52a(O) of the functional processing unit
52(O) of the output system unit 30 acquires the multiple processing
targets from the processing target storage area 57c(O) of the
shared memory 57(O), and thereafter, the CPU unit 10 writes the
processing targets input from the computer 6 to the processing
target storage area 57c(O) of the shared memory 57(O) of the output
system unit 30, the processing target storage area 57c(O) having
being cleared by the MPU 52a(O) of the functional processing unit
52(O) so as to be in an empty state where no information is
stored.
The number of trigger controls N of the output system unit 30 of
the control apparatus 5 according to the second embodiment is set
in a similar manner to the first embodiment.
According to the output system unit 30 and the control apparatus 5
of the second embodiment, the functional processing unit 52(O)
performs the functional processes with the control period T1, which
is shorter than the synchronization period T of the trigger signal
TS, on the basis of the trigger signal TS. According to the output
system unit 30 and the control apparatus 5, the processing targets
of the functional processing unit 52(O) are written from the
outside to the shared memory 57(O), and the processing targets are
collectively input. Therefore, in the output system unit 30 and the
control apparatus 5, the functional processing unit 52(O) can
perform the functional process a plurality of times in one
synchronization period T. As a result, the output system unit 30
and the control apparatus 5 can utilize the high-speed functional
processing performance of the output system unit 30. According to
the output system unit 30 and the control apparatus 5 of the second
embodiment, it is possible to transmit the control signals to the
device 3, which is a drive device, with a period shorter than the
synchronization period T.
According to the output system unit 30 and the control apparatus 5
of the second embodiment, since the functional processing unit
52(O) repeatedly performs the functional process starting from the
trigger signal TS, it is possible to suppress variations in the
control period T1 generated by the internal control processors
52b(O) when a plurality of output system units 30 are arranged in
the system. Therefore, when the output system units 30 are arranged
in the system, the output system units 30 can be synchronized with
each other with a period obtained by further minimizing the
synchronization period T determined by the PLC system, and can be
controlled permanently.
Regarding the output system unit 30 and the control apparatus 5
according to the second embodiment, the number of trigger controls
N is written from the computer program stored in the MPU 52a(O).
Therefore, even if the synchronization period T will be shortened
in the future, the output system unit 30 and the control apparatus
5 can flexibly cope with the shortened synchronization period T
without modifying the internal control processor 52b(O) in a
similar manner to the first embodiment. When the number of trigger
controls N is written from the computer 6 via the CPU unit 10, the
output system unit 30 and the control apparatus 5 allow the user to
freely set the control period of the functional processes minimized
beyond the synchronization period T. However, the shortest control
period of the functional processes is the control period T1.
Third Embodiment
Next, a functional unit 70 according to a third embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the
functional unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a
time chart illustrating an example of an operation of the
functional unit according to the third embodiment. In FIGS. 12 and
13, components that are the same as those in the first and second
embodiments are given the same reference numerals and descriptions
thereof will be omitted.
In the third embodiment, the functional unit 70 is the input system
unit 20 or the output system unit 30 described in the first and
second embodiments. The functional unit 70 includes the functional
processing unit 52 as illustrated in FIG. 12. The functional
processing unit 52 is a functional processing unit that, upon
receiving a trigger signal TS, performs a functional process in a
similar manner to the input system unit 20 or the output system
unit 30 at a rising timing of the trigger signal TS. The functional
unit 70 includes the shared memory 57 that includes a
trigger-control-count storage area 57a in a similar manner to the
input system unit 20 or the output system unit 30. The
communication processor 51 of the functional unit 70 is connected
to the computer 6.
In the third embodiment, when the functional unit 70 receives the
trigger signal TS input by the user operating the computer 6, as
illustrated in FIG. 13, the functional unit 70 performs as many
functional processes as the number of trigger controls N written to
the trigger-control-count storage area 57a. That is, the functional
processing unit 52 of the functional unit 70 repeatedly performs
the functional process as many times as the number of trigger
controls N, starting from the trigger signal TS. In the third
embodiment, the trigger signal TS is input from the computer 6 to
the functional unit 70, but this is not a limitation. The trigger
signal TS may be input from the outside of the functional unit 70
at a given timing, that is, the trigger signal TS may be
aperiodically input. In the third embodiment, the functional unit
70 repeats the functional process as many times as the number of
trigger controls N at the rising timing of the trigger signal TS,
and thereafter the functional unit 70 performs a given process.
However the given process may not be necessarily performed.
According to the functional unit 70 of the third embodiment, the
functional processing unit 52 repeatedly performs the functional
processing performance starting from the trigger signal TS in a
similar manner to the first and second embodiments; therefore, it
is possible to utilize the high-speed functional process of the
functional unit 70.
The configuration described in each embodiment above indicates one
example of the content of the present invention and can be combined
with other known technology, and part thereof can be omitted or
modified without departing from the gist of the present
invention.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
5 control apparatus; 10 CPU unit (processing unit); 20 input system
unit; 30 output system unit; 52 functional processing unit
(functional processing unit); 57 shared memory; 57a
trigger-control-count storage area (setting functional unit); 70
functional unit; T synchronization period; T1 control period; TS
trigger signal.
* * * * *